Building Your Own Business: Insights from Joan Berry

Knowing of my “academic roots” in geology and geophysics, a Chicago-based colleague thought I would be intrigued by Citibank client and president of her own engineering company, Joan Berry. And, indeed I was! Joan is president of EJM Engineering, a professional engineering firm involved in a broad range of design, construction management and infrastructure management activities. Here are some highlights from our conversation including Joan’s take on what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.

What’s the key to running a successful enterprise?

You need to be able to cope with pressure and sustain a level of energy and focus even under stress. Being able to maintain a long-range vision is key. You need to be able to understand where things are today, but see past near-term circumstances and have a plan for tomorrow.

What advice would you share with someone who wants to build their own business?

Get the basics on what’s involved with running a business before you go out and launch one of your own. Working in government, I developed very strong technical skills and learned how to navigate institutions and the politics that go hand-in-hand with them. But I didn’t know anything about financials, a P&L and so forth. Working in the consulting business gave me a strong foundation in what it takes to run a business and make the numbers work. It was invaluable to me.

Get the basics on what’s involved with running a business before you go out and launch one of your own.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received or shared?

My colleagues tell me that I never take any advice… I do try and listen, but I pretty much stick to my guns and my gut. I guess that is the stubborn approach to running a business!

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Reading popular fiction in three languages: English, French and Spanish.

What inspires you?

I recharge by taking classes on topics that have nothing to do with my day job: French literature, crocheting, singing and drawing are some examples.